PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Oct 2, 2017
Mens Rea Reform Act of 2017 This bill establishes a default mens rea (i.e., guilty mind) requirement for federal criminal statutory and regulatory offenses that lack a state of mind requirement.
The government must generally prove that a defendant acted willfully with respect to each element of the offense that lacks a specific state of mind requirement.
People & committees
Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT] · R–UT
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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